Supporting and/or illuminating device



March 10, 1931. E. w. SUNKENBERG 1,795,321

SUPPORTING AND/OR ILLUMINATING DEVICE Filed June 14, 1929 INVENTOR Edu/am h1, S'ummfy.

Patented Mar. 10, 1931 ETED STATES EDWARD W. SUNKENBEEG,

OF HOHOKUS, NEW JERSEY SUPPORTING .AND/OR LLUMINATING DEVICE Application filed June 14,

invention, in one of its prominent c phases, relays to a device or mec aforesaid, embody'ng a lock structure which controls il nation of a license plate and which also prevents casual unauthorized removal thereof from said device or mechanism.

My invention resides in a supporting device of simple construction, and in one that is readily manufactured and yextremely simple to operate.

Further objects, advantages and characteristics of my invention will become apparent from the followingV detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing.

My inveniion resides in the device or mechanism, features of construction and combination of parts of the character hereinafter described and claimed.

F or an illustration of one of the many forms my invention may take, reference is to be had. to the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure l is a side elevational vi-ew of a supporting device as constructed in accordance with one form of my invention;

Fig, 2 is a transverse vertical sectional view, partly in elevation, and is taken on the line 2-2 of l looking in the direction of the arrows, parts being omitted;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged, fragmentary plan view, partly in horizontal section, of the device shown on Fig. l; and

Fig. 4 is an enlarged, transverse vertical sectional View showing a modified form of my invention.

Referring to the drawings, S represents any suitable member, bracket or support positioned, for example, at the rear of an automobile.1 Suitably secured to the support S, as by rivets l, or equivalent, a member 2 which, as shown and preferably, is of substantially rectangular configuration. In the form of my invention herein illustrated, the member 2, adjacent the periphery thereof, comprises a section 2a angularly related to 1929. Serial No. 870,782.

the general plane of member 2, said section 2c into a section 2b disposed substantially parallel with the general plane member 2, said section 2b, in turn, mergf into a flanged section 2c disposed sub- 55 stantially at right angles to the general plane of member 2. y

A second member 3 coacts with the aforesaid member 2 to detachably retain or support a icense plate P in a desired position. is illustrated particularly in Fig. 2, the member 3 comprises sections 3a, 3b, and 3o corresponcing with the respective sections 2a, 2o and 20 of member 2. The member 3 is apertured or cut away to an extent less than the area of the plate l) and preferably,

illustrated in Fig. l to thereby permit observation of the identifying characters or indicia on said plate P which, of course, should be so positioned that the aforesaid characters or indicia face in the proper direcion to permit observation thereof from the rear of the automobile in the example shown.

ln accordance with my invention, the members and 8 are so mounted that they are 75 movable with respect to each other whereby the license plate P may readily be associated therewith or disassociated therefrom. In the form of my invention herein illustrated, the member 3 is hinged or pivoted to the 80 member 2 and, for this purpose, there may be utilised, if desired, a pin or rod et passing; through alined ears carried, respectively, by the members 2 and 3.

To the end that the characters or indicia on the plate P may be illuminated, the aforesaid member 3, particularly the section 3?) thereof, may carry a suitable lamp casing 5 closed at one end thereof by a sheet of glass 6 colored red as usual. The lamp casing 5, further, may comprise a light-passing slot or passage 5a through which light passes from an incandescent electric lamp 7, the base 7a of which is detachably retained in a socket 8 in any suitable manner. As illustrated, the 95 base 7a of lamp 7 may carry contacts 9 coactable, respectively, with contacts l0 carried by a plug 1l detachably supported in and by the socket 8, said contacts 10 forming the terminals of the respective electrical con` ductors 12, 12. In the form of my invention herein illustrated, one conductor 12 leads to a suitable control switch, not shown, and thence to one terminal of the automobile battery. The other conductor 12 extends into an inaccessible space formed partly by and between the sections 2b and 3b ot the respective members 2 and 3 when the latter are p0- sitioned as illustrated on the drawing; in this space, said last named conductor 12 is suitably connected to a metallic member 13 forming a terminal for said last named conductor 12 and also forming an element of locking mechanism, as hereinafter more fully described. Member 13 is carried by the section 250i member 2 but is suitably insulated thereltromsince the latter isv connected to one terminal of the automobile battery, as hereinafter described. 'llo this end, the member 13 may be secured directly to a member 14 formed of suitable insulating material, as hard rubber, said member 11i being suitably secured to the aforesaid section 2b of member 2, as by rivets 15 or the like, other rivetsl, or equivalent, securing` the members 13 and 14C together, said last named rivets 15 being spaced from or otherwise suitably insulated from the member 2.Y

As stated, member 13 forms one element of suitable locking` mechanism and, accordingly, said member 13 may comprise an overhanging ledge 13a with which coacts a loclring member 13 suitably mounted for oscillatory movement in a tubular member or barrel 17 carried by and extending through the section 3b of member 3, said locking member 16 being operable upon operation of a key into a key slot 18, Fig. 1, extending interiorly of said member 17.

lVith the various parts positioned as illustrated on the drawing, the locking member 16 coacts with the flange 13a of member 13 to positively retain the members 2 and 3 in closed position, i. e. in such position that they icorm a pocket for the plate P and, ordinarily to some extent at least, grip the same particularly adjacent the periphery thereof. Under such circumstances, the proper key may be inserted in the slot 13 and operated separate the locking member 16 from the flange 13e. Thereupon, the member 3 may be swung with respect to the member 2 and the plate l) removed. r1`his would be done, tor example, by the owner or" the automobile at the end of the year when Vit became necessary to change plates.

In the `absence of the proper key, the plate P could be removed only by mutilating some of the parts and, in any event, a different plate could be substitutedv only with great diiiiculty. rl`hus, should be automobile be stolen, it would probably be necessary for it to be operated with the proper license plates which, of course, would aid detection. lt

another plate was to be substituted, it would be necessary to mount it outside of the device coniprising,l the members 2 and 3 or said members 2 and 3 would be mutilated to eilect the substitution. ln either case, there would be distinct evidence oit tampering whereby the liability of detection would be increased greatly.

ln the 'orm otmy invention herein illustrated, the hereinbetore described member, bracket or support S forms a part of the metallic trame of the automobile to Which, as well understood, one terminal of the automobile battery connected. rlhe members 2 and 3 are constructed of metallic material; hence the lock mechanism and particularly the member 16 thereof are connected to the named battery terminal.

Jiccordinn'ly, with the various parts positioned as illustrated on the drawing that is, "th the locking member 16 coacting with the flange 13a of member 13, the circuit through the conductors 12, 12 is completed and the lamp 7 is energized provided that its control switch, not shown, is properly operated. rlherelore, in accordance with my invention, the herein described loclr'mechanism serves a dual purpose, namely, as a positive closure for a license plate supporting device and as a control switch fori the lamp effecting illumination ot the characters on said license plate. -hould the lock mechanism be mutilated or destroyed, for example', when attempting to remove the proper plate P without a key, the lamp 7 will, in all prob,- ability, become non-energizable. This, f course, may be remedied by otherwise connecting the proper conductor 12 to some other part or the automobile frame. However,

such an expedient is unsatisfactory and the time which must necessarily be consumed to arrange the connection aids the chances ot' the/tt detection` no application in the day time but is important at night because deenergization ot the rear lamp inevitably precipitates a warninafrom a trafc oflicer.

lt shall be distinctly understood that my invention is not to be limited to the utilization of the automobile frame as a conductor torone terminal oi the battery. As well, the Vconductor 12, 12 may be connected to the respective battery terminals independently of the aforesaid frame.

ln Il, l have illustrate-d a form of my invention wherein. the member 3 is shown as corresponding; with the hereinbefore described member 3.V ln lig. 4, however, the

member 2 is shown as cut away or apertured, as is the member 3 or otherwise as may be desirable. Accordingly with the form ofmy invention illustrated in Fig. 1l, the plate P is substantially 'free ot support throughout the major area thereof and is only peripherally supported.

Ol course, the toregoinghasf Il O l il

lilthoug i, the peripheral construction of the members 2 and 3, the same comprising the sections 2a, il), 2c, 3a, 8o and 3c is a desirable way of shaping said members, it shall be understood that my invention is not to be so limited. The aforesaid sections cause the men'ibers 2 and to form a substantially closer chamber immediate y adjacent their perl ihcries when said members 2 and 3 are desirable that the locking mechanism and tl e contact associated therewith be suitably h sed or enclosed when the loclr is operated to positively retain the plate I3 in its desired position. However, it shall be understood that such a. housing or chamber may be quite different from that herein illustra-ted and described.

Although I have illustrated my invention in connection with the license plate Jior the rear of an automobile, it shall be understood that, as well, the front license plate may be supported by a device constructed in accordance with my invention. This follows because in some impor-tint aspects, my invention involves the members 2 and 3 together with the locking mechanism therefor and is independent of the lamp, lamp casing or any electrical circuit connections whatsoever. Under such circumstances, the locking mechanism functions solely as a device for retainino` the members 2 and 3 in closed position.

it shall also be understood that locking mechanism of a variety of types, specifically dnrent from that herein disclosed, may be utilized. Furthermore, when said locking mechanism is associated with a switch device, the latter may be of any suitable character specifically different, if desired, from that herein disclosed.

l/Vhile the invention has been described with respect to certain particular preferred examples which give satisfactory results, it will be understood by those skilled in the art after understanding the invention, that various changes and modifica-tions may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention and it is intended therefore in the appended claims to cover all such changes and modifications.

lWhat is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is l, A supporting device for a license plate havingv characters on one face thereof, said device comprising coacting members hinged to each other, said members, respectively, comprising` angular sections extending toward each other in gripping relation with respect to opposite sides of said license plate, and means for retaining said members in position forming a pocket for said plate,

2. In combination, a supporting device for an indicia-bearing license plate, said device comprising coacting members hinged to each other, a lock for retaining said members in predetermined position to thereby prevent unauthorized removal of said license plate, and an incandescent electric lamp for illuminating the indicia on said license plate, said loclr when in one position retaining s id memin closed position and closing the circuit through sail` lamp, said lock in another position releasing said members and opening the circuit through said lamp.

3. In combination, a supporting device for an indicia-bearing license plate, said device comprising coacting members hinged to each other, a loclr for retaining said members m predetermined position to thereby prevent unauthorized removal of said license plate, and an incandescent electric lamp for illuminating the indicia lon said license plate, a part of said loclr being carried by one of said members and associated therewith in electricityconducting relation, another part of said lock eing carried by the other of said members and insulated therefrom.

4l. In combination, a supporting device for an indicia-bearing license plate, said device comprising coacting members hinged to each other, a lock for retaining said members in predetermined position to thereby prevent unauthorized removal of said license plate, and an incandescent electric lamp for illuminating the indicia on said license plate, said loclr controlling energization of said electric lamp.

5. In combination, a supporting device for an indicia-bearing license plate, said device comprising coacting members hinged to each other, a lock for retaining said members in predetermined position to thereby prevent unauthorized removal of said license plate, a casing carried by one of said members, and an incandescent electric lamp in said casing for illuminating the indicia on said license plate, said lock controlling energization of said electric lamp.

6. In combination, a supporting device for an indicia-bearing license plate, said device comprising coacting members hinged to each other, a lock for retaining said members in predetermined position to thereby prevent unauthorized removal of said license plate, said members when in said position defining an inaccessible space, a casing carried by one of said members, an incandescent electric lamp in said casing for illuminating the indicia on said license plate, and means for energizing said lamp, said last named means comprising a conductor terminating in said space, said lock comprisinga contact member coactable with said conductor and controlling energization of said lamp. i

7. In combination, a supporting device for an indicia-bearing license plate, said device comprising coacting members hinged to each other, a lock for retaining said members in predetermined position to thereby prevent unauthorized removal of said license plate, said lock comprising an oscillatory latching element, said members When in said position defining an inaccessible space, a casing c-ar ried by one of said members, an incandescent electric lamp in said casing for illuminat- 5 ing the indicia on saidv license plate, and

means for energizing said lamp, said last named means comprising a conductor terminating in a Contact positioned in said space, the latching element of said lock coacting with said Contact to open or close the circuit through said lamp.

8. In combination, a supporting device for an indicia-bearing license plate, said device comprising coacting members hinged to each other, a lamp casing carried by one of said members, an electric lamp in said casing' for illuminating the indicia on said license plate, and locking mechanism for said device, said mechanism comprising elements carried by and movable. with each of said members.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification. Y

EDWARD W. SUNKENBERG. 

